This spring, a new league entered the Canadian basketball landscape. The Maritime Women’s Basketball Association (MWBA) was launched with six teams in two Maritime provinces. The goal of the fledgling league is to provide a competitive spot for female basketball players to play in the U SPORTS off-season or after graduation. Several former Tigers have taken this opportunity to return to the court and are connected to five of the six teams.
Cailin Crosby (2007-10) and Leah Martin (2005-10) are members of the Halifax Hornets roster, who currently sit in second place in the standings.
“Playing with Leah again was a total bonus,” Crosby says. “We both played overseas after our time in Dal, Leah in Slovakia, me in Germany, and after we returned to Nova Scotia we rowed together for a season with the ‘Row to the Podium’ program. based in Dartmouth. So, we’re no strangers to everyone’s work ethic, dedication and passion for the sport; and all the more so since I feel lucky to share a single high-level sporting experience with her!
Several other players in the league have professional basketball experience, all away from abroad. Back in the field here in Canada, they brought their experiences with them which led to a high quality product in the field.
“The quality of play in this league is phenomenal,” Crosby said. “It’s fast, physical and highly skilled. The training/playing environment reminds me of my time in Europe, mainly in the composition of the teams. We are not all students representing our school, we are different ages, have attended different universities, some of us have young children, full time jobs and other responsibilities outside of basketball, but we come together because of our shared passion for playing the sport and it’s a truly unique and amazing thing to be part of.
The former students of the Tigers are not only on the field but also on the bench. Although she didn’t don the black and gold as much as she had hoped due to injury last season, Maia Timmons (2021-22) has brought a wealth of experience to a young Tigers team l ‘last year. She is now an assistant coach at Windsor Edge.
“Coaching for the Windsor Edge has been a very unique experience,” says Timmons. “The players in this league have so much talent, leadership and experience and often manage the game and make adjustments to each other on the field.”
“Each team seems to be made up of some of the best players I’ve seen in the AUS, or players I grew up with or against. It’s really special to see all these women playing together in the same league.
One of those players is Chelsea Slawter Wright (2017-19) who is on the Windsor roster.
“I would say the quality of play in the MWBA is on par with the AUS, it’s fast and just as physical. Most players in the league are former AUS and U SPORTS athletes, so they bring the same intensity to every game. It’s so cool to see the combination of experience and skill of each team with such an age range of players in each team.
Janice King (1994-95, 1997-01) owns and coaches the Crosby and Martin Hornets.
“As a coach, I’ve been blown away by the pace and intensity of the product the league produces,” King said. “Getting a team fit in such a short window is no small feat and I would be lying if I told you we were at our full potential right now.”
Starting a new women’s league is never easy. Doing it during a global pandemic adds another level of difficulty. However, the tide is turning when it comes to women’s sport. The MWBA has signed several great partnerships which, as King notes, have helped.
“As an owner, it has been a challenge over the past two years, not only building something new from scratch, but with the uncertainty of COVID restrictions looming all around. Fortunately, our cause was well received by most of the potential sponsors we approached. People wanted to get involved and that in itself has been very promising, that many companies understand the importance of uplifting women and girls.
The league’s impact on women’s sport doesn’t just happen on the field, but off it as well. Gyms have been filled in most league games so far. Many fans are young basketball players.
“I’ve already seen an impact in so many young girls just by looking at their faces and listening to them talk about the games and the players,” King adds. “I see the impact of the young women and girls who demonstrate the value our community places on a women’s basketball league! 300-500 people seated at games, thousands of online views, media coverage, league professionalism, sponsors! It may not seem like much, but it means so much to them and it’s important for them to see it. It tells them that their dreams matter too. I see this league challenging them to think bigger, take risks and break down barriers.
It’s not just the future Tigers that are affected by the league, but the current ones as well. Second-year forward Maddie Maillet is a member of the Moncton Mystics team.
“Playing with this group of experienced and inspiring basketball players has been great,” she says. “It’s really cool to compete with and against players that I’ve admired for a long time. I learn something new every game in an environment where the physique, the basketball IQ and the level of competition are high.
His new coach at Dal, Tanya McKay is thrilled to see the impact playing against high quality talent has had on Maillet’s development.
“What a great opportunity to play against some of the best current and former AUS players in May and June. The experience gives Maddie a head start in her off-season training for September as she prepares for the Tigers’ season.
Hornets coach King agrees.
“I think the MWBA can only help improve the caliber of the game in the AUS and U SPORTS. There are so many things for young players to learn from more experienced veterans. Having the chance to train and play against the best can only help them grow as players. Now that our first season has started and is getting so much positive attention, I think there may be a lot of current and former players who have decided not to play this season and may decide to give it a try next year.
Looking at the big picture, McKay sees the MWBA as a great starting point for women’s basketball in Canada.
“The MWBA could be the foundation of a league that could potentially expand across the country for female basketball players,” McKay adds.
“The dream of many U SPORTS players is to play at a professional level once they graduate from their university programs. Very few players advance to semi-professional or professional leagues in other parts of the world due to lack of opportunity or financial implications. The MWBA becomes an opportunity for female basketball players to stay home in Canada to experience a higher level of play and inspire future young female players to dream of playing in this professional league. What an incredible journey that could be for these players.
Although the game of basketball hasn’t changed since their days at Dalhousie, a lot of things off the court have changed.
“My pre-game routine with a toddler definitely looks different,” says Crosby, who has a 22-month-old daughter at home and a partner who is a resident in family medicine. “It took extra hands with grandparents and other family members to allow me to attend all practices, fitness training, games and weekends.”
Returning to the field and to consistent high-intensity matches has earned Slawter Wright all the juggling.
“It’s so fun to play at a high level again and to be able to play with women who were my opponents during my time in the AUS. I meet new athletes who have played in the AUS and U SPORTS at different times than mine, and I enjoy learning from older players and hearing about their AUS experience.
Rounding out the Tigers contingent is 2014-15 AUS MVP Courtney Thompson (2010-15) who dresses for the Port City Fog. The Fredericton Freeze have Robbi Daley (2012-15), the 2013-14 AUS Community Service Award recipient, and Anna von Maltzahan (2009-13) joining Slawter Wright on the Windsor Edge.
The teams are heading into their final weekend of the MWBA’s short inaugural season. The playoffs kick off Friday at SMU’s Homburg Center, where we’ll find out if anyone can beat the undefeated Halifax Thunder.
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